A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Baltimore vs. Mystic for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Baltimore or Mystic?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Mystic can help you decide which place is right for you.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a diverse, colorful, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Baltimore travel costs.

Mystic

Mystic is a quaint, laid back, and charming town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Mystic travel costs.

Baltimore and Mystic: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Baltimore or Mystic?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Baltimore. Although Baltimore and Mystic are popular destinations, Baltimore has more sights and attractions for tourists. Baltimore is very popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Mystic attracts visitors for its beaches. Baltimore is famous for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also well known for the National Aquarium. Mystic is famous for its New England charm and local character.

How is Baltimore different from Mystic?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mystic and Baltimore. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Baltimore or Mystic?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Baltimore and Mystic.

Many visitors head to Baltimore specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Mystic can be an interesting and educational experience. There's a decent selection of museums around town with some of the favorites being the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Denison Homestead Museum, and the Old Lighthouse Museum, The Mystic Aquarium is also a popular destination.

Is the Food Better in Baltimore or Mystic? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Mystic. As a coastal town, you'll find no shortage of seafood at many restaurants. Popular dishes include oysters, shrimp, or fish. There are also many casual restaurants that serve comfort food for classic American favorites like mac and cheese, pasta, or burgers.

Is Baltimore or Mystic Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Mystic is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Baltimore has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Mystic has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head downtown for the most interesting bars and breweries. You can sip wine or enjoy a cocktail at a laid back pub with friends or family.

Is Baltimore or Mystic Better for Beaches?

Mystic is well known for the beach. However, Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Mystic is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are accessible from town and offer a laid back setting that's not overly developed. Families will like Ocean Beach Park but Williams Beach Park is one of the easiest beaches to access. If you're willing to drive a bit out of town, you should check out Misquamicut State Beach.

Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Baltimore or Mystic?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Mystic and Baltimore.

Baltimore is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Mystic. Head downtown for scenic shopping streets with boutiques, artisan craft shops, and jewelry stores.

Is Baltimore or Mystic Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Baltimore or Mystic.

Baltimore is a very kid-friendly city. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Mystic. Animal lovers will enjoy wandering around the many trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center or visiting the famous Mystic Aquarium. You can also visit the shops around Olde Mistick Village or dine at one of the many kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Baltimore or Mystic Better for Couples?

Both Baltimore and Mystic are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Baltimore makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

Mystic is a good city for couples to visit. Check out Mystic Seaport or drive down the coastline and visit the lighthouses. You'll also find breweries around town as well as many fun or romantic restaurants.

Is Baltimore or Mystic Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Mystic is lacking in options for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Mystic is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's not high on the list for most backpackers.

Is Baltimore or Mystic Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Baltimore. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Mystic. There is a bus but it has limited stops and only runs on weekdays.

Is Baltimore or Mystic a more walkable city?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. However, Mystic is lacking in options for its high level of walkability.

Baltimore is very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

Mystic is generally not very walkable. While parts of town are very walkable, you'll need a car if you want to see the sights that are a bit further away.

For even more information, also check out Is Baltimore Worth Visiting? and Is Mystic Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mystic or Baltimore?

How long in Baltimore or Mystic?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Baltimore and Mystic. In our opinion, Baltimore has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Baltimore than Mystic. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Baltimore than Mystic. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Baltimore, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Baltimore than Mystic. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Baltimore that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore than Mystic if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Baltimore.

One day in Baltimore or Mystic?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Baltimore. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Mystic. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Baltimore or Mystic?

Baltimore is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Mystic. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Baltimore or Mystic?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back town of Mystic. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Baltimore or Mystic?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Baltimore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Mystic is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Mystic, we can see that Mystic is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Baltimore Expensive? and Is Mystic Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Baltimore or Mystic?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Baltimore and Mystic, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Baltimore or Mystic?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Baltimore or Mystic in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Mystic. Many visitors come to Baltimore in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Mystic for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Baltimore is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 78°F (25°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In the summer, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun.

Baltimore receives a lot of rain in the summer. Baltimore usually gets more rain in July than Mystic. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Mystic in the Autumn?

Both Mystic and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Baltimore for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Mystic because of the shopping scene.

Baltimore is a little warmer than Mystic in the autumn. The daily temperature in Baltimore averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Mystic fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Mystic. Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during autumn. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Baltimore usually receives less rain than Mystic. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Baltimore or Mystic in the Winter?

Both Mystic and Baltimore during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.

It's quite cold in Mystic in the winter. The weather in Baltimore can be very cold. In the winter, Baltimore is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the winter temperatures in Baltimore in January average around 32°F (0°C), and Mystic averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Baltimore often gets less sunshine than Mystic. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun.

Baltimore usually gets less rain in January than Mystic. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Baltimore or Mystic in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Mystic. The activities around the city are the main draw to Baltimore this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mystic for the beaches.

In April, Baltimore is generally a little warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Baltimore average around 54°F (12°C), and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Baltimore, it's very sunny this time of the year. Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during spring. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Baltimore usually receives less rain than Mystic. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mystic and Baltimore